Sunshine “Sunflower” Farm Philippines

The road to happiness is bordered with sunflowers. Not in all places. In Tiaong maybe.

The Sunshine Farm is a sprawling and picturesque sunflower garden, a new and budding tourist destination in the South. But beneath the majestic sight of these lovely sunflowers, is an inspiring and beautiful story why and how the farm started.

Former expatriate (from UK and Singapore) and now-retiree, Rhodora Palomar-Fresnedi has twin passions in life – helping persons with disabilities and growing and arranging flowers. With the help of horticulturist and sunflower expert and Mike Caballes, she was happy to venture into setting up a farm with an end goal in mind – the farm to be run and maintained by PWDs. She hired PWDs to help her plant seeds in her vacant lot in Lalig, Tiaong and 45 days later, flowers started to bloom. Little by little, the farm expanded and now employs more than 10 PWDs. It is also now managed by Rhodora’s NGO, the Center for Growing and Giving Foundation.

The farm is in a very strategic location, just along the highway (and near other famous landmarks in Quezon such as Villa Escudero and Ugu Bigyan).

Receptionists, growers, laborers and staff of the farm are PWDs; they have muscular dystrophy, polio, or traumatic below elbow amputation. The farm manager is Vhen Villanueva, President of the Samahan ng mga Isinusulong ang mga Kakayahan ng mga may Kapansanan or SIKAP. I am happy that there are people like Rhodora who gives hope, empowerment and livelihood opportunities to PWDs.

A small cafe within the farm serves snacks and set lunch to day visitors. Most of what they serve are healthy and organic such as beef afritada and ginataang isda. 

The main attraction of the farm is of course the sunflowers. The field of bright yellow sunflowers is truly a sight to behold. What’s more amazing, the flowers bloom all-year round. And for trivia, they do not only resemble the sun, they also display a behavior called heliotropism. The flower buds and young blossoms face east in the morning and follow the direction of the sun during the day.

I didn’t see any guests who left the farm without a smile on their face. Sunflowers are happy flowers. You look at them and you see thousands smiling back at you.

                                                                                                  

From Manila, take Lucena-bound bus from Cubao, Buendia or Pasay. Get off at Sunshine Farm in Lalig, Tiaong (near Hacienda Escudero and CityMall Tiaong).    

Sunshine Farm

Maharlika Highway

Lalig, Tiaong, Quezon

Tel. No.: 0906-0554262

Mt. Natib, Bataan

Mt. Natib is a botanist’s haven. I found so many exotic and fascinating plants the first time I scaled this mountain.  

Located in Orani, Bataan, Mt. Natib is a dormant volcano and caldera complex. It has an elevation of 1,253 MASL. The mountain and its adjacent surroundings are a protected area first declared as the Bataan National Park in 1945.

I tagged along with Mia and Jeff for this day hike. Straight from the office, we left Manila via bus past midnight and arrived at the junction in Orani around 4 am. We hired a tricycle that took us to the military headquarters in Tala (where we got our go-signal to climb) and finally the jump-off point. 

Since we were very early for our meeting time and our hired guide was still probably sleeping (and dreaming), we decided to have an early breakfast in a nearby 24/7 restaurant that serves Batangas lomi and sisig. The place is where the mountaineers usually dine before and after the climb. 

After our fulfilling meal, we proceeded to the barangay outpost where we registered; took a nap until our guide arrived. A little past 5 am, we commenced our hike.

First part of the trail is the wide road (almost paved), gradually ascending and leading to the viewpoint. If there is actually a habal-habal for hire going up to the viewpoint, I would avail it to save my energy and time.

The viewpoint somehow reminds me of Picnic Grove in Tagaytay, only simpler, with very few or no people at all, and no entrance fee. Our guide said that it is often visited by visitors on a day tour.

The second part of the trail starts from the viewpoint to Pinagbutasan, where kubo huts and temporary shelter for mountaineers are waiting. The place also has a potable water source.  

After a brief rest in Pinagbutasan, we continued on our journey, passed the fork - the upward trail leading to the summit, the other one to Pasukulan Falls.  

Along the way we found different and interesting flora. Our guide even searched for rafflesia. It was our first time to see the giant flower and we were so excited to finally see one.

It gets steeper for the last and remaining part of the trail, with some parts very rocky and slippery. And one needed good rappelling skills to move up. Actually the rappelling part is the most exciting and one of the highlights of the trek. 

We reached the summit past noon. The peak is marked with a DENR signpost, and features a small flat grassland. On a clear day, one could see the West Philippine Sea, most of Bataan Province, and the mountains of Mariveles, Samat, Cinco Picos, Balingkilat and Arayat. The view is breath-taking and wonderful, especially when the fog and clouds dance over or envelope the mountain!

After resting, taking our lunch and a hundred photo-ops, we started to descend in the same steep trail where we came from.

We would have loved to go to the falls; debated for a while, but unfortunately there was no more time, and we were not equipped to stay overnight. Also, I was victimized by a poisonous plant that I touched; it pricked me from the inside.

No one is ever safe in this world. 

  

From Manila, take Balanga-bound bus (bus terminals in Pasay, Cubao or Avenida) and get off in Orani crossing. Take a tricycle to the jump-off point in Brgy. Tala. Guides (Tel. Nos.: 0907-5681785; (047) 237-3550) are available in the barangay outpost.